8 Reasons Why We Fall Off The Workout Wagon

It happens to all of us; even those who are so motivated with their fitness routines that they show up at the gym door on holidays when the rest of the world is indulging in big meals and lazy hours spent on the couch.

You are attending to your workouts religiously when, one day, you just can't seem to work up the strength or willpower to get there. What happened? Everyone has a different reason.

The key to overcoming this problem is to figure out what your reason is and to identify ways to combat it.

Reason #1: You have a perceived lack of time

This is probably the most common complaint. You have your career, a girlfriend or wife and possibly kids to attend to, not to mention your buddies who are always tempting you to go over and watch the game. Life's demands just don't stop, and often, they crowd out your gym time.

What you can do:Schedule your workout time. Start scheduling your workout time into your day just like you would a doctor's appointment. Once it's written, view it as a commitment, something you will have to schedule other things around.

Maximize your workout time. The second thing you can do is make sure you are making the most out of your workouts at the gym. Instead of doing a whole bunch of exercises that isolate one muscle, such as tricep kickbacks, do compound exercises that will work many muscles all at once (e.g. chest press).

Consider supersets. You can either alternate between agonist and antagonist muscle groups like biceps and triceps, or between upper and lower body exercises. This way, you can work one muscle group while the other is resting and cut that "dead" time out of your workout.

Schedule shorter sessions. If you only have 30 minutes, you can still get a great workout, so long as you push yourself hard. You don't really need to dedicate an hour or more to see results. Many times, people in the gym are actually overtraining, and cutting down your workout time might actually provide you with better results.

Have easy access to your gym. Finally, when choosing a gym, make sure it's easily accessible. Find one on the way to or from work and you will be much more likely to make a stop.

Reason #2: You don't see results

You've been working out for three months and have yet to see results. This makes you question why you even bother and sends your motivation out the window. If this is the case, it's time to re-evaluate your workout routine.

What you can do:Hire a personal trainer. Enlist the help of a professional trainer who might be able to quickly pick up exactly what to change to achieve your desired results.

Set realistic goals. If you started working out a month ago weighing 200 pounds with 25% body fat, you won't be able to get down to a cut, 10% body fat frame in a few weeks. If your goal is a large one, break it down into smaller mini-goals so that you are continuously making small achievements.

Eat healthy. Finally, have a look at your diet; if you are grabbing a handful of nuts while watching the game or have been knocking back an extra beer after work lately, these will all add up and slow your progress. When your diet is on track, your efforts in the gym will be much more noticeable.

You hurt yourself, or you're too busy chatting up the babe on the bike...